Cultural Variations In Attachments

Question 1

Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg
(1988)

Answer 1

Aiming to see if there are inter cultural variations in attachments
They conducted a meta-analysis in which they analysed the results of 32 separate studies in 8 different countries using the strange situation method.
In total over 2000 babies were studied

Question 2

Results of Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg study

Answer 2

The most common attachment type in all countries was type B (secure)
More type A (insecure-avoidant) infants were found in countries like Germany compared to Japan.
More type C (insecure-resistant) infants were found in countries like Israel compared to countries like the UK

Question 3

Conclusion of the Van Ijzendoorn and Kroonenberg study 1988

Answer 3

There are both Inter and intra cultural variations in attachment.
This research suggests that secure attachment is the best for healthy social and emotional development as it is the most common type in all countries studied
This supports bowlbys theory that attachment is innate